The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is conveniently located on the banks of the Yarra River in the heart of the city.
The MCEC complex is comprised of:
• The new Melbourne Convention Centre
• The Melbourne Exhibition Centre
• The existing Convention Centre
New Melbourne Convention Centre
When it comes to convention centres the new Melbourne Convention Centre will be a convention centre like no other - Australia’s premier convention centre.
Sitting right in the heart of Melbourne, the centre is easily accessible from every direction by foot, car or public transport and is surrounded by cafes, bars, shopping and fine restaurants, with the Yarra River lapping at its edges.
Opening for business in mid 2009, the new convention centre will be fully integrated with the existing exhibition centre to create the most versatile and advanced convention and exhibition centre in the Southern Hemisphere.
Setting new world benchmarks as the first convention centre to be awarded a
‘6 Star Green Star’ environmental rating
by the Green Building Council of Australia, the centre is also raising standards to new heights in innovation, technology, imaginative catering and service options.
Thirty-two meeting rooms of various sizes, a grand ballroom and a state-of-the-art plenary hall that can be divided into three self-contained, acoustically separate theatres, offers client’s unlimited options in event planning.
The most sophisticated but simple to use audio visual, communications and information technology available is inbuilt into every meeting room of the new convention centre which significantly reduces the normal additional costs associated with the provision of this level of technology. New self prompting ‘smart lecterns’ offer event organisers and guest speakers unprecedented self-manageable capabilities all monitored in-house via centralised or satellite control rooms.
The new centre is part of an A$1.4 billion development in South Wharf which includes a Hilton Hotel, a lifestyle retail precinct and 60,000 sq m (646,000 sq ft) of shopping space.
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
Stretching half a kilometre along the Yarra River, the Melbourne Exhibition Centre offers an unrivalled 30,000 sqm (323,000 sq ft) of clear span floor space.
The exhibition area transforms into smaller sections using four movable walls positioned at 13 locations, allowing exhibitions of any size to be staged in up to five separate bays. A variety of meeting rooms, organiser’s offices, hospitality suites and a 493-seat auditorium complement the centre’s exhibition space.
The centre is within walking distance of all public transport, providing excellent access for trade and public shows, and will be fully integrated with the new Melbourne Convention Centre.
Existing Convention Centre
The existing Convention Centre provides excellent variety and flexibility, with a range of meeting rooms and theatres that can be used in any combination to provide the most suitable meeting space – from a large plenary conference to intimate concurrent sessions.
The existing Convention Centre features:
• two state-of-the-art theatres;
• banquet space for up to 2000 guests;
• exhibition area and a variety of meeting rooms.